[Galaxy Note GT-N7000 Accessories] kentmartin:
Just a very quick review of my Easecase E5 which arrived about a week ago.

You can see pictures of it by search eBay for "Easecase E5 galaxy note" (without quotes), there's one here : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/E5-EASECA..._MobilePhonesCasesPouches&hash=item5ae4059699

(I did get a bit of a shock when I saw that - that is my actual one - with my name on it, I was just searching for one at random)

Delivery time:

As mentioned in other parts of this forum, delivery times for Easecase are pretty woeful. I ordered on the 25th of November and, it arrived here a few days over a month later in Sweden. The problem seems to be largely that they ship via China Post which is quit slow - they dispatched it (with trackable* shipping) within about a week. I bought it through eBay, so I am not sure if they have another outlet, and, they make it very clear on their eBay items that they will take a looong time to ship, so, I can't take any points off them there.

Build quality:

It is beautifully put together. There's a slot running down the inner spine for the stylus, and my name is embossed on the front. I would characterise it as high quality.

Outside:

I opted for the magnetic clasp. It isn't a very strong magnet, but does the job.

Apart from the clasp, there's just the embossing on the outside, and, a neat seam around the edge.

Inside:

There are 2 bill pockets inside, both of which are *very* deep. They're about as deep as the note is high.

When it is fully opened, there are 5 credit card pockets on the left. Note that these seem to be individual pockets, separated from each other internally. Cards fit vertically into these pockets. The front of the pockets stretches a bit over 2 thirds of the way from the far left of the case to the spine. Behind the pockets is a sleeve about 1/3 wider than the short side of a credit card where you could fold bank notes* (remember this, I'll come back to it.

As I said, along the inner spine is slot for the stylus.

On the right is where the not goes. It slots in (quite snugly) from the top. The top is open, so you can get to the headphone port. There's a hole in the left for the volume control, a hole in the right for the power button, and, a hole in the bottom for access to the USB port.

Looking at the front, the home and hardware buttons are all accessible as part of the screen area. They've also neatly cut out around the top speaker and, the front camera.

Protection:

Very good. If the magnetic clasp doesn't come undone during a fall, then, it'd be very hard to break the screen. It is nice thick leather, and you might even be able to drop a brick on it when closed without breaking the screen.

It still won't help you if you drop it in the toilet as some poor chap here has apparently done.

Usage:

It is very bulky. Like one of those filofax jobs people used to (still?) have.

I'm used to big gadgets, so I cope, but you wouldn't get it into tight jeans pockets. I do squeeze it, with some discomfort into my front trousers pocket.

You don't want to talk on the phone with the cover on for more than brief calls, you look like an idiot. Most of the time I pull it out of the cover for calls, or, use a bluetooth headset.

Using the rear camera requires removing from the cover.

General browsing/emailing etc is fine with the cover on.

Fortunately removing the phone is a fairly quick procedure, as is putting it back it. I imagine it'll get easier still as the leather stretches a touch.

One annoyance is, as the leather reaches right to the top of the touch screen, if the phone slips up slightly, it can be difficult or impossible to pull down the notifications bar. When in landscape, this isn't an issue as the phone can't move left/right in the case.

Summary/thoughts:

I wish I'd bought the one without the bank note pockets. That'd reduce the bulk considerably and you could still stick notes behind your cards (see * above). You can also use the rear facing camera with the non-bank note version (E4).

On balance, I am pleased I bought it though, it is of high quality and, it is great having your phone and wallet all in the one thing - it also means you can ring your wallet to find it when you are in a hurry to head to work :)

If anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

My recommendation for anyone thinking of getting one of these is to get the E4 and not this.

They don't seem to have any E4's on eBay at the moment for the note, but I am sure I have seen one there. Here's one for the Desire HD - I am sure it gets the point across.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/E4-EASECA...sesPouches&hash=item5647be7cbf#ht_5657wt_1016

Cheers,

Kent